6, 7 AND 8, BELL LANE

This is a house, likely dating from the early 17th century or earlier, with alterations and additions spanning several centuries. The timber-frame structure was originally faced in brick around the late 17th or early 18th century, and again in the early to mid-19th century. The north wing has a thatched roof, while the south-west wing has clay plain tiles. Brick axial and gable-end stacks are present.

The building comprises two timber-framed ranges at right angles to one another. The east front of the north range was faced in brick in the late 17th or early 18th century, and the south-west wing in the early to mid-19th century. A 20th-century brick extension exists at the rear west end of the south-west wing.

The east front presents an asymmetrical appearance. The north range, on the right, has a platband at first floor level and features 2- and 3-light casements with cambered brick arches on the ground floor, and a smaller 3-light casement above. The slightly advanced gable end of the south-west wing has a canted bay window on the ground floor with sashes containing glazing bars, a tripartite sash on the first floor (adapted with top lights), and a small 9-pane sash in the gable above. A doorway is located on the right, with a rectangular overlight. The south return of the south-west wing has four window bays, including a canted bay window with an integral porch on the ground floor.

The rear west wall of the north wing displays exposed timber-framing with brick nogging, and tension braces.

Internally, the house reveals exposed wall framing and chamfered ceiling beams. Other features include jowled wall posts, curved braces to the tie-beams, attics, a clasped-purlin roof with wind-braces, and exposed timber elements.